Cristiano Ronaldo has said that his rivalry with Lionel Messi is now “gone”, but that the duo had “changed the history of football”.
Ronaldo and Messi have long been seen as two of the greatest footballers of all-time and competed against each other for years in Spain, playing for Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively. Both now ply their trade elsewhere, Ronaldo for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, whilst Messi plays for Inter Miami in the United States.
Each have developed their own personal fanbase down the years, creating an undeniable rivalry which has split the football world. Ronaldo though, speaking to Portuguese newspaper Record, says that rivalry has now come to an end.
“I don’t see things like that, the rivalry is gone. It was good, spectators liked it. We shared the stage for 15 years and ended up being, I’m not saying friends, but we are professional colleagues and we respect each other.”
“Those who like Cristiano Ronaldo don’t have to hate Messi and vice versa. We’ve done well, we have changed the history of football. We are respected all over the world, that’s the most important thing.”
The two superstars combined won a total of 12 Ballon d’Ors, Ronaldo picking up five whilst Messi has seven to his name. The Argentinian could yet extend that figure to eight later this year after being named on the shortlist for the 2023 Ballon d’Or following his integral role in Argentina’s World Cup triumph in Qatar, which saw Messi awarded the Golden Ball.
Ronaldo meanwhile, is a European Championship and UEFA Nations League winner with Portugal and Real Madrid’s all-time record goalscorer, netting 451 goals in 438 appearances, winning 16 trophies with ‘Los Blancos’ in the process. Messi has achieved the same feat for Barcelona, scoring 674 goals in 781 appearances, winning 35 trophies. Both players have lifted the UEFA Champions League four times.
